Safety assessment of hydrogen production using alkaline water electrolysis

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive safety assessment of hydrogen production using Alkaline Water Electrolysis (AWE). The study utilizes various risk assessment methodologies, including Hazard Identification (HAZID), What-If analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Event Tree Analysis (ETA), and Bow Tie analysis, to systematically identify and evaluate potential hazards associated with the AWE process. Key findings include the identification of critical hazards such as hydrogen leaks, oxygen-related risks, and maintenance challenges. The assessment emphasizes the importance of robust safety measures, including preventive and mitigative strategies, to manage these risks effectively. Consequence modeling highlights significant threat zones for thermal radiation and explosion risks, underscoring the need for comprehensive safety protocols and emergency response plans. This work contributes valuable insights into hydrogen safety, providing a framework for risk assessment and mitigation in hydrogen production facilities, crucial for the safe and sustainable development of hydrogen infrastructure in the global energy transition.